Yanks Dragging Feet With Posada, Discussing Crede

Mark Feinsand has really been on top of the Yankee rumors in this young offseason.  Bill Madden helps him on this one.  The Yankees still haven’t made an offer to Jorge Posada, and baseball insiders can’t figure out why.  The Yanks are said to be prepared to offer 3/40, which most perceive as only a starting point in the negotiations.

The Mets hope to lure Posada away, but it could take four or even a ridiculous five years.  Like I’ve said…4/56.  The Yankees will pay up.  But if the Mets do get the Posada prize, the Yankees at least get the Mets’ #22 overall pick in ’08 as consolation.  In past years that could’ve represented Joba Chamberlain, Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Garza, Colby Rasmus, Travis Buck, Clay Buchholz, Phil Hughes, or Huston Street.

Regarding their third base vacancy, the Yanks have already touched base with Kenny Williams about Joe Crede.  Given the uncertainty, Crede’s pending free agency after ’08, and his Boras association, his trade value can’t be very high right now.  My best guess remains some kind of Johnny Damon swap where the Yanks eat money.  A year of Crede doesn’t seem worth four or five of any decent youngster.

Also, the deadline on Bobby Abreu’s $16MM option is tomorrow.  The Yanks will probably exercise it.